Biryani is the celebratory Indian dish and usually includes meat. This particular recipe comes from Southern India, however, and is vegetarian. It’s very easy to make, looks impressive and scents the room with cinnamon and cardamom.

Raita or raitha is served as a cooling side dish throughout most of India. Its basic ingredient is yoghurt (dahi – usually homemade) and then vegetables, herbs and spices are added in the inimitable Indian fashion. It can be compared to our own Greek tzatziki, apart from the fact that raita has many different herbal versions, for example, a simple ...